Myanmar has undergone profound changes in recent years in both political and economic terms. In 2013, these changes enabled the ILO to embark on two projects of support to the SME sector through the ILOs Start and Improve Your Business methodology. The two projects were supported financially by the Norwegian and the Swiss government with budgets of 4.1 mill. USD and 1.1 mill. USD respectively.

Both projects are now working under the guidance of a Project Advisory Committee (PAC). In the SECOfunded project in the tourism sector, the PAC includes representatives from the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism (MoHT); the Myanmar Tourism Federation (MTF) and the associations under the MTF; and theTourism Development Bank, which is currently under construction. The PAC for the NORAD-funded project includes representatives from the SME Development Department, under the Ministry of Industry; the Myanmar Young Entrepreneurs Association; and UAB Bank. In addition, SIYB Master Trainers are represented on both of the PACs.